The Washington critic., 1887-08-19
REAL DARRY HYMNS.

splfltualSO songs, hs Ill Tue Iullu OF
Kings" but neither class are properly
"darky hymns" For q true "darky
hymn" Is one not only sung by negro
but composed by him and sung In the
colorcd church. Though such hymns
sound very ludicrous to us, there Is
never any intentional comic element.
This summer, while visiting In Eastern
Virginia, heard the servants singing
their peculiar melodies, and endeavored
to obtain information on the subject.
They sang with willingness (after some
of the same kind of begging required
by their white sisters), but were quite
shy of pen or paper, and very reluc
family repeated any of the words they
had sung when they saw that they were
being reported. Here are few speci.
mems | copied while they sang:
WHO'LL BE THE LEADER?
Who'll be the leader when the bridegroom
comes2
Chorus. Who'll be the leaderY
Who'll be the leader?
Who'll be the leader when lie
comesp
There were ten virgins when the BRIDE
Chorus. There were ten virgins, etc.
III.
Five OF them were wise when, etc.
".
Five OF them were foolish whep, etc.
"Glve us of your OIL, said the foolish to
the wise, etc.
''Go buy II for yourselves" when the, etc.
Christ Jesus'll be the leader when the
bridegroom Zones, etc.
The melody of all heard was of the
same order, low and sing. song, but with
weird tone, long drawn out rhythm
that reminds one of the sough of the
wind, and Is delightful TO the ear.
They often have but line to verse,
with an abundance of chorus, as In the
specimens given, fact easily explained
when the origin of the hymn is found
out. A pastor after preaching on the
Parable of the Ten Virgins" starts
off this new hymn expecting his con.
gregation TO quickly catch up the
chorus.
Neither his own powers of eXtempo-
rizing nor his hearers powers of memo.
riZing will allow long stanZas. Their
ability to carry the different parts in
these new choruses Is wonderful; one
hymn, though deficient In rhyme and
grammar, was fitted to tune of their
own manufacture which would delight
the souls of any musical quartet;
RED SEA.
Who am desc oil dressed In white?
1t is de comply of de lsraelites.
Chorus.
Red Sea, Lord, Red Sea, Lord,
Red Sea, Red Sea, Red Sea,
Red Sea, Red Sea, Red Sea.
H.
What am dat in Moses haud?
Moses answered, "Natural rod"
Chorus.
III.
Oar Moses he done fused to go
To take dc word to old Pharo.
Chorus.
And thus 1t continues until the whole
Bible account of the dellverancc of
Israel is versilled, for they will sing for
hours the same hymn as long us the
poetical powers of the composers can
add another stanZa.
Not all their eXtempOraneous efforts
are taken from the Scripture, for here
are three verses from very effective
revival tune, made slilsmore effective
by catch In their breath like a sob in
each line, and by the swaying of their
dark forms us they keep the time:
had sister who lately died,
She fell from 'bundant grace supplied;
| But she would tO de bulla and DlAy.
In spite Of all her fren's would say.
few days sickness tore her down,
And death prepared her for de groun;
She called her mudder to her side,
Said, "Mudder, mudder, pray for me-"
mo use, no use, tole you SO
can't do no good now, know"
Tho hell may ring with vengeance spite
Christ will save your soul tonight.
There is q very sudden and triumph
ant change of voice In this last verse
1t being generally chanted as the back
slider comes forward penitent. We
cOndoled with colOred woman VIII
had been turned out of church for
dancing to the music of IL banjo. Sac
answered by throwing her apron ovci
her head and saying in sobbing tones
ooh, dc debbil has fought hard wild
me dis day. felt dat music In my
bones, and | stepped my feet by it,
and he came mighty near gettin me
TO day. lie came down the chimbly
while was a clayin' de hearth, and et
] hadn't hollered TO de Lord he would
have TUX me-" This instance taught
me that they axe submissive to the
rules OF their church, even when these
rules are fanatical, and that the line
between worldly people and member,
is rlnSnlv Irn W. mn u,yNrll lippu, -